Why in the News?

The increase in drug-resistant fungal infections, especially Trichophyton indotineae, is becoming a major health problem in India.

What Is Trichophyton Indotineae?

Trichophyton indotineae is a dermatophyte commonly known as ringworm or jock itch.
First identified in India, this fungus has now spread to several countries worldwide.
It belongs to genotype VIII within the T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale species complex, found in regions including Australia and Oman.

Patients often present with persistent, treatment-resistant rashes that can be mistaken for eczema or other skin conditions.
Misdiagnosis leads to the use of ineffective treatments, prolonging patient suffering and allowing the infection to worsen.
Trichophyton indotineae has shown resistance to terbinafine due to genetic mutations, with growing resistance to itraconazole also a concern.
The unregulated sale of steroid-containing combination creams further complicates treatment efforts.

Alternative to terbinafine and Itraconazole are available but often come with significant side effects, requiring close monitoring by healthcare providers.
Integrating comprehensive skin care regimens can enhance treatment efficacy, including maintaining skin hydration and using barrier creams.

[2014] Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of:

(a) algae and bacteria

(b) algae and fungi

(d) fungi and mosses